Early Detection of Over 50 Types of Cancer with a Single Drop of Blood
Spotlight on Securing AI Genomic Data
Samsung C&T Gains Exclusive Rights to "Galleri" in Korea
Samsung Electronics to Integrate with Health Platform
Beyond Investme
Samsung C&T and Samsung Electronics have jointly invested $110 million (approximately 150 billion won) in Grail, an American biotechnology company that possesses technology for early cancer detection using just a single drop of blood. This strategic move is seen as an effort to secure Grail's clinical and genomic data and to enhance their competitiveness in the digital health sector in the future.
According to Samsung on October 17, through this investment, Samsung C&T has obtained exclusive distribution rights in Korea for Grail's flagship product, the "Galleri" test. Samsung Electronics plans to integrate Grail's gene-based early cancer detection data with the "Samsung Health" platform to deliver personalized health management services.
Kim Jae-woo, Executive Vice President in charge of Life Science Business at Samsung C&T, stated, "Grail is the global leader in gene-based multi-cancer early detection, and through this collaboration, Samsung C&T has significantly expanded its bio and healthcare portfolio. We aim to transform the paradigm of early cancer detection with diagnostic technology that combines artificial intelligence (AI) and genomic data, and to expand our healthcare business based on data utilization."
Park Heon-soo, Head of the Digital Health Team at Samsung Electronics MX Division, commented, "The collaboration with Grail is part of Samsung Electronics' process of realizing its digital health vision to improve everyday health through technology. By integrating Grail's genomic data into the Samsung Health platform, we will provide personalized predictive and management services."
Grail has developed a technology that identifies trace amounts of cancer-related DNA fragments among hundreds of millions of DNA pieces in the blood and uses AI-based genomic analysis to predict the presence of cancer and its tissue of origin. Its flagship product, "Galleri," can detect more than 50 types of cancer, including pancreatic and ovarian cancer, through a single blood test. Since its launch in 2021, approximately 400,000 cumulative tests have been conducted. Grail is currently conducting large-scale clinical trials with the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS) and is preparing to apply for FDA approval in the United States next year.
Harpal Kumar, President of International at Grail, said, "By starting in Korea, we are partnering with Samsung to expand multi-cancer early detection services across the Asian market. Samsung’s investment will serve as an important milestone for insurance coverage of the Galleri test in the United States and other major markets."
In addition to Grail, Samsung C&T is expanding into the life sciences and AI convergence sector by investing in C2N, a blood-based Alzheimer’s diagnostic company, and the Flagship Pioneering Fund VIII in the United States. Samsung Electronics is accelerating the development of a health data ecosystem by acquiring DNA analysis equipment company Element Biosciences and digital healthcare platform Xealth.
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